Gym Dogs Defeat Stanford In 2010 Opener

ATHENS, Ga. ----- Senior Courtney McCool posted a clutch 9.925 in Georgia’s final routine to lead the top-ranked Georgia Gym Dogs over No. 7 Stanford by a score of 195.150-195.050 Saturday in front of a sellout crowd of 10,224 at Stegeman Coliseum.
 
“It took the 10,000 people and our entire team to help me do that routine,” said McCool of her meet-clinching floor performance. “I am so proud of my team. Everybody got out there and really fought. I think tonight was about fight and everybody fought to stay on their events. Because I had my team believing in me at the end and when I saw my teammates’ eyes at the end, I knew I could do it.”
 
The tilt with Stanford was the first of three straight meets against top-10 opponents for the Gym Dogs, who will face a total of nine ranked teams in 2010.
 
“I am happy that the team stayed in there and hung tough,” said Jay Clark, making his debut as head coach of the five-time defending national champions. “We made too many mistakes, there is no question about that. We had an opportunity early in the meet to be up by a good margin halfway through the meet, but we made uncharacteristic mistakes on bars that we really just haven’t ever seen. We all understand that we have to do a better job next weekend. We are glad to get the win, but at the same time, I am not excited about a low 195. I just don’t think that is where this team is and we have to do a better job from here on out.”
 
The Gym Dogs started the day off strong, posting a 49.125 on vault. Freshman Noel Couch turned in a 9.850 in her first collegiate routine, followed by a 9.825 from junior Cassidy McComb. Hilary Mauro and Kat Ding each recorded 9.775s and senior Marcia Newby notched a stellar 9.900 to close it out for the Gym Dogs in the first rotation while Stanford scored a 48.725 on the uneven bars in their first event.
 
Georgia hit the bars next, leading off with a 9.750 from McComb and a 9.850 from sophomore Gina Nuccio. Ding matched that with a 9.850 of her own and Newby scored a 9.725 in her routine. McCool closed things out for Georgia with a 9.675, whole Couch exhibitioned the event with the same score. Stanford posted a 49.125 to match Georgia’s score on vault, as the Gym Dogs owned a 97.975-97.750 lead at the midway point of the meet.
 
The third rotation of the day for the Gym Dogs was the balance beam, where senior Grace Taylor led the way with her 9.900 and freshman Shayla Worley recorded a 9.825 in her first collegiate outing. Both Mauro and Ding – who saw a career-high in the event – posted 9.775s while McCool came in with a 9.675. Freshman Christa Tanella exhibitioned on beam with a 9.650. Following Stanford’s total of 48.925 on the floor exercise, Georgia led 146.925-146.775 after the first three.
 
In the final rotation of the day, Georgia headed to the floor, where Couch logged a 9.800 and Mauro posted a 9.750. McComb added a 9.600 for the Gym Dogs, but the squad was forced to count Taylor’s 9.150 which set the stage for McCool’s heroics as Georgia needed a strong final routine to hang onto the lead. The senior answered the call, closing out the day with a 9.925 while Stanford scored 48.275 on beam and the Gym Dogs hung on for the slim 195.150-195.050 victory.
 
With today’s win, the Gym Dogs improve to 18-6 in season-opening dual meets dating back to 1981 and are now a perfect 6-0 at home in the last six home openers.
 
Georgia improves to 17-1 all-time against the Cardinal since their first meeting in 1986 and is now a convincing 96-23-0 against Pac-10 foes.
 
The Georgia-Stanford meet will be aired on CSS on a tape-delayed basis on Jan. 12 at 10 p.m. EST. Next up, the Gym Dogs will travel to face SEC rival and third-ranked Alabama on the road in Tuscaloosa, Ala., next Fri., Jan. 15 at 8:30 p.m. EST.

SCORING

Team Results

1. Georgia - (VT- 49.125; UB- 48.850; BB- 48.950; FX- 48.225; FINAL- 195.150)

2. Stanford - (VT- 49.125; UB- 48.725; BB- 48.275; FX- 48.925; FINAL- 195.050)

Individual Results (Georgia)

Vault: Noel Couch- 9.850; Cassidy McComb- 9.825; Mariel Box- 9.750; Hilary Mauro- 9.775; Kat Ding- 9.775; Marcia Newby- 9.900

Bars: Cassidy McComb- 9.750; Gina Nuccio- 9.850; Kat Ding- 9.850; Shayla Worley- 9.450; Marcia Newby- 9.725; Courtney McCool- 9.675

Beam: Cassidy McComb- 9.500; Hilary Mauro- 9.775; Kat Ding- 9.775; Shayla Worley- 9.825; Grace Taylor- 9.900; Courtney McCool- 9.675

Floor: Noel Couch- 9.800; Grace Taylor- 9.150; Hilary Mauro- 9.750; Cassidy McComb- 9.600; Shayla Worley- 9.100; Courtney McCool- 9.925

University of Georgia Athletics

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